Building a Business That Cares: Wayne & Eleanor Chiu’s Legacy of Purpose

At Trico Homes, we’ve always believed that building a home is about more than walls and roofs — it’s about uplifting communities. That same belief is what inspired our founders, Wayne and Eleanor Chiu, to create a business that leads with heart, purpose, and a deep sense of responsibility that addresses social and ecological issues. Their support reflects a shared belief that business can and should be a catalyst for meaningful change.

Recently, Drs. Wayne and Eleanor made a transformative $5.4 million gift to the University of Manitoba’s I.H. Asper School of Business — an investment that will create the Chiu Centre for Business Serving Community. The goal: to inspire future generations of entrepreneurs to see business not just as a way to be profitable, but a new way to look at the purpose of business.

Rooted in Experience, Guided by Values

Wayne’s story began far from Calgary — in Hong Kong, where he grew up in a low-income neighbourhood before coming to Canada to study mechanical engineering at the University of Manitoba. That education gave him the foundation to start Trico Homes, a company now recognized across Alberta for its commitment to doing well by doing good.

But it was a life-changing moment in 2004 — witnessing the aftermath of a tsunami in Thailand — that inspired Wayne and Eleanor to think bigger. Out of that experience came the Trico Charitable Foundation, dedicated to advancing social entrepreneurship and helping others use business as a force for positive change.

Empowering the Next Generation

The new Chiu Centre builds on that vision. It will bring together students, Indigenous led-organizations, not-for-profits, researchers, and community leaders to explore what it means to run a business that serves people and planet — not just profit. Through hands-on learning, mentorship, and collaboration across disciplines, the Centre will help students understand that the most successful businesses are those that lift others up.

As Asper School Dean Bruno Silvestre put it, the Centre will empower students to “approach business with compassion, drive innovation with purpose, and create meaningful impact.”

The Trico Way: Purpose in Every Project

Wayne has long believed that “doing well by doing good” is both ethical and economically sound. He emphasizes the next generation will need bold, creative solutions to address issues such as climate change and inequality – and the Chiu Centre aims to help students develop those solutions.

At Trico Homes, this philosophy is woven into everything we do. Every neighbourhood we build and every home we design reflects our belief that a strong community is the foundation of a better life. Whether it’s creating housing options for every stage of life, supporting local charities, or championing sustainable building practices, we strive to make a difference — one home, one family, one act of care at a time.

Wayne and Eleanor’s gift to the University of Manitoba is a powerful reminder that business can be a tool for good — and that when purpose drives every decision, success follows naturally.

A Legacy of Caring

From a small engineering dream to a company that’s shaped communities across Calgary, Wayne and Eleanor Chiu have proven that compassion and commerce can coexist beautifully. Their latest contribution ensures that the next generation of business leaders will carry that legacy forward — reshaping business education for a more compassionate future.

You can read more about Wayne and Eleanor’s transformative gift here: https://news.umanitoba.ca/business-that-cares/